Thalapathy Vijay met Governor Rajendra Arlekar for the second straight day on Wednesday as his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), intensified efforts to form the next government in Tamil Nadu. TVK emerged as the single-largest party in the recently concluded assembly elections but remains short of a clear majority.
Current Seat Tally
TVK currently holds 108 seats in the 234-member assembly. With support from the Indian National Congress, which has five seats, the alliance tally stands at 113—still six seats short of the majority mark of 118.
Governor's Questions
Sources say Governor Rajendra Arlekar questioned Vijay on how the party plans to run a stable government and whether formal support from allies has been secured. The Governor is reportedly not yet convinced about TVK's ability to prove majority on the floor of the House.
Exploring Alliances
TVK is now exploring support from several parties, including:
- Left parties
- Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK)
- Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK)
- Sections within the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK)
Reports also suggest that TVK may approach the Madras High Court if its claim to form the government is rejected by the Governor.
Political Drama Unfolds
With MLAs shifted to resorts and intense backchannel negotiations underway, Tamil Nadu politics is witnessing a dramatic battle for power after the 2026 verdict. TVK has moved its MLAs to a resort to prevent poaching attempts by rival parties.
Next Steps
TVK is racing against time to secure the additional five seats needed to reach the majority mark. The party is expected to make a formal claim to form the government once it has the numbers. Meanwhile, the Governor is likely to wait for a clear demonstration of support before inviting any party to form the government.
